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An Analysis Of Farmers’ And Traders’ Awareness, Perceptions And Effect Of Chicken Value Chain Practices On Newcastle Disease Outbreaks In Kenya
No full textNewcastle disease (ND) is a major challenge affecting chicken production in Kenya. It causes mortalities of 80 to 100 percent, depriving farmers and traders of their sources of livelihood. The disease is the main challenge for farmers who rear indigenous chicken under the free-range production system. It is unclear how farmers and traders manage ND under the prevailing value chain systems due to lack of uniformity in husbandry, marketing and production practices. Farmers’ and traders’ awareness levels of the disease and its mitigation are relatively undefined. This leads to flaws in value chain practices, thereby increasing the frequency of disease outbreaks. Whereas evidence of control of the disease in commercial chicken is well documented, the challenge remains the control of ND in free range production systems. There exists limited information on how the chicken value chain practices influence the frequency of ND as farmers and traders manage their flocks differently. To address these gaps, this study analyzed the level of awareness, perceptions and factors influencing ND among farmers and traders as well as the effects of chicken value chain practices on the frequency of ND outbreaks in Kenya. Primary data was collected from 332 chicken rearing farmers in Kakamega and Machakos Counties as well as 336 traders in live bird markets in Kakamega, Machakos and Nairobi Counties. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square statistic, binary logit model and the Poisson regression model (PRM) were applied in the data analysis. Results showed a gender difference between chicken production and marketing activities. Chicken production was dominated by women while the marketing was dominated by men. Access to institutional support services like extension, training and credit was low among farmers and traders across the three Counties. Household type, extension, training, group membership and marital status were found to significantly influence the likelihood of chicken farmers being aware of ND. For traders, experience, group membership, age, gender and marital status were found to significantly influence the likelihood of ND awareness. The chi-
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square test results showed that practices like record keeping and market channels used to source birds had significant association with farmers’ perception on ND during outbreaks. Similarly, practices like market channels used to source birds, form of birds sold, mode of transportation, origin of birds, availability of designated slaughter points, waste disposal and housing of birds were also found to have significant association with traders’ perception on ND during outbreaks. From the PRM, flock size and age of birds were found to have positive effects while source of birds, form of housing, housing composition, frequency of cleaning shelter, screening of birds, mixed production system as well as farmer attributes like access to extension were found to have negative effects on the frequency of ND outbreaks among farmers. Among traders, practices like breed composition, form of birds, sale of other poultry species, use of motorcycle/ bicycle, mixing of birds, slaughter of birds and housing were found to have a positive effect while source of birds, origin of birds, disposal of waste as well as trader attributes like access to animal health training, licensing and gender had negative effects on the frequency of ND outbreaks. Based on the findings from this study, Kakamega and Machakos Counties should implement programs to recruit and deploy extension officers to facilitate delivery of information and extension. This will help improve the dissemination of information regarding chicken disease, good husbandry technologies and marketing practices. Credit service providers need to create affordable services and packages that target small-scale chicken farmers and traders. County governments can also establish funds that are tailored for agricultural activities where chicken farmers and traders can borrow and make payments. This will help investment in better production and marketing practices. There is need to create more awareness among chicken farmers and traders on aspects like disease detection and symptoms of ND, disease response strategies as well as mitigation measures during outbreaks.
From the findings, it is evident that form of housing, mode of feeding and flock composition under housing play a role on outbreaks of ND. Farmers should be sensitized on the need to adopt and
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invest in better feeding practices for chicken as well as proper housing for chicken. Adoption of the practices will reduce the likelihood of birds coming into contact with disease spreading pathogens such as germs and wild birds. This can be done through group trainings where participants can be trained on better practices that help reduce outbreaks. County governments of Kakamega and Machakos should also develop relevant infrastructure such as vaccine storage facilities at sub Counties to facilitate efficient cold chain systems for good quality and effective vaccine delivery. Results from the PRM highlight transportation, the slaughter of birds within the market place and poor disposal of waste as practices that contribute to the increased frequency of ND in markets. The County governments can prioritize invest in market infrastructure through construction and provision of market facilities such as designated slaughter points, shelters to house birds within the market place and waste disposal equipment such as waste bins within the LBMs. There is also need of authorities in charge of live bird markets to ensure the enforcement and compliance of biosecurity, sanitation and hygiene practices within the markets. This can be done through regular inspection and monitoring of markets by animal health officials.
Keywords: Chicken management, marketing, live bird markets, Newcastle Disease
Main Armed Conflict and Peace Studies From Idps To Refugees And Back To Idps - The Dynamics Of Post Election Violence Victims In Kenya: A Case Of Busia County, 2007-2015
No full textThis study set out to assess the changing nature of displaced persons in Kenya. The main objective was to explore the nature of displaced persons and the coping mechanisms during the different stages of displacement. The study sought to examine three objectives; one is transition of Kenyan IDPs to refugees in Uganda; secondly is dynamism of the refugees to IDPs; and thirdly, to assess the challenges and coping mechanisms they adopted in transit camps in Malaba.
The research used the theory of Reasoned Action by AjzenIcek and Fishbein Martin. The theory argues that human actions are based on cost-benefit analysis following a rational analysis of available salient information. Data collection began by review of secondary materials accessed from Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library at the University of Nairobi and McMillan library. There were direct interviews with twenty five respondents and two focus group discussion during the course of this study. The study sample was selected purposively based on researcher’s knowledge of key informants in the area. In addition, two focus group discussions with informed respondents were held in Malaba Town.
The study found out that displaced persons of 2007/08 Post Election Violence in Malaba had to periodically and systematically adjust their lifestyles to fit into different environments they found themselves in. For instance, due to limited employment opportunities in refugee settlements, the refugees had to adopt a myriad of economic activities including farming and petty businesses to survive.
Additionally, they faced several challenges including health problems, shortage of social amenities, harassment by agency and state officials and trauma. To survive, they develop coping mechanisms which include seeking guidance and counselling services and developing close relationship with host communities in order to share available resources.a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
Brand Management Attributes, Corporate Image, Customer Characteristics And Customer Satisfaction Among Undergraduate University Students In Kenya
No full textThe general objective of this study was to determine the influence of brand management attributes, corporate image, and customer characteristics on customer satisfaction among university students in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to establish the influence of brand management attributes on customer satisfaction; establish the mediating effect of corporate image on the relationship between brand management attributes and customer satisfaction; establish the moderating effect of customer characteristics on the relationship between brand management attributes and customer satisfaction and lastly, determine the joint influence of brand management attributes, corporate image and customer characteristics on customer satisfaction of university students in Kenya. The study was anchored on three theories: Customer based brand equity model, expectation confirmation theory and consumer utility theory. The study adopted descriptive research design, the target population comprised students from all 70 universities registered and accredited to operate in Kenya, with a population of 443,783 students enrolled for various undergraduate degree programmes from which a random sample of 384 students was drawn. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis, factor analysis, correlation analysis and regression analysis. The study revealed that brand management attributes had statistically significant influence on customer satisfaction among university students in Kenya (R2=0.238; p-value = 0.000). The study also established that corporate image had a statistically significant mediating effect on the relationship between brand management attributes and customer satisfaction (R2=0.388; p-value = 0.000). Further, the study revealed that customer characteristics had a statistically significant moderating influence on the relationship between brand management attributes (R2=0.085; p-value= 0.000). Finally, the study revealed there was a statistically significant joint effect of brand management attributes, customer characteristics and corporate image on customer satisfaction in university students in Kenya (R2=0.308; p-value= 0.000). Brand management practices were found to influence customer satisfaction more in the private individual owned and private institutional owned than in public universities, with R square of 0.149, 0.312 and 0.423 respectively. Similarly, corporate image was found to have a stronger moderation effect on the relationship between brand management practices and customer satisfaction in private institutional owned universities as compared to the private individual owned and public universities, with R2 of 0.671, 0.654 and 0.213 respectively. The study recommends that policy can be developed that encourages inculcating brand management practices within universities in Kenya. Policy can be developed to encourage measurement and reporting of performance along brand management attributes as used in this study. To sustain customer satisfaction through branding, the universities should identify ways in which a strong brand can create value to customers. This can be enhanced through quality service delivery, superior technology, positive attitude among the employees (both teaching and non-teaching) as well as reputable professors to enhance university brand positioning in the market
Competitive Strategies And Performance Of Flower Exporters In Kenya
No full textThe current business environment is characterized by frequent unexpected changes and organizations are forced to compete for clients, market share and revenues with their offerings that offer viable solutions to their clients‟ needs. The clients are asking for products and services of superior quality from organizations who have to listen due to technological advancements that have fanned the global competition. This has resulted to organizations placing much importance on firm competencies as well as competitive advantage believing it would position them in an ideal position competitively. Among the many objectives that majority of organizations set out to accomplish in the current business environment, two stand as being major which are achieving a position that a firm considers to be of competitive advantage as well as improve the performance of the organization as compared to that of similar players in the market. Competitive strategy involves trying to achieve advantage over competitors, on some cost or differentiation advantage over competitors. This study focused on looking at how competitive strategies affected performance of flower exporting companies. The research objective was to establish the competitive strategies implemented by the flower exporter companies in Kenya and how they affect their performance. The research design adopted was cross sectional survey whereby primary data used was collected from the respondents using questionnaires and analysis done using SPSS. Research findings indicated conventional competitive strategies had been adopted by the flower exporting firms though implementation varied across organizations. It was established from the research that firm performance is influenced by different competitive strategies differently whereby their style of implementation influences the overall effect. The study concluded that a significant relationship existed between competitive strategies and performance of the flower exporting firms. Research findings also conclude that flower exporting firms have adopted competitive strategies which has enabled them to continuously improve their performance. This is evident from the result on growth in different areas including revenue and the market share. Referring to the research findings the reseacher recommends that flower exporting firms continue implementing competitive strategies that work for them and even seek further assistance on ways in which they can leverage on the benefits of these strategies to further push their growth upwards. Further areas or research are suggested that future studies to extend their scope and look at how the different classes of competitive strategies impact the various performance aspects in the organizatio
Molecular and Morphological Identification of Plants Consumed by Yellow Baboons in Amboseli, Kenya
No full textPlant species can be identified based on their morphological characteristics and
molecular properties. Molecular identification utilizes specific regions in the plant
genome, followed by comparison against reference databases. The flora in the
Amboseli ecosystem has only been characterized based on its morphology, and no
genetic data exists in the public databases. The general objective of this research
was to identify the plants consumed by yellow baboons (Papio cycnocephalus) in
Amboseli, Kenya, based on morphological and molecular analyses.
Eighty plants (40 monocotyledons and 40 dicotyledons) were collected from
Amboseli Baboon Research Project’s study site in the Amboseli ecosystem, Kenya,
in three periods, namely June 2016, January 2018 and May/June 2018. Twentythree
plants whose scientific names were uncertain were deposited at the University
of Nairobi herbarium. DNA was extracted from all the samples using Qiagen’s
DNeasy Plant Mini Kit, followed by the amplification of five barcoding genes,
namely: ITS1, ITS1-Poaceae, the trnL (UAA) intron, trnL-P6, and the 18S
ribosomal DNA locus. The amplicons were sequenced using the Sanger sequencing
method then analysed using BLAST and phylogenetic approaches to determine the
consensus identities.
The amplification success rate of all the extracted DNA was generally higher in
monocotyledons (93.06%) than in dicotyledons (87.67%). With regards to the
candidate markers, the ITS1 locus had the highest amplification success rate (100%)
followed by the trnL (UAA) intron (95%), ITS1-Poaceae (90%), the 18S rDNA
locus (82.05%), and lastly, trnL-P6 (80.49%). Two-hundred and eighty-nine
amplicons were sent for sequencing at Macrogen Netherlands (Europe), and highquality
sequences were generated for 182 samples. Generally, more plants were
identified at both the genus and species levels using GenBank® than in the BOLD
database. Furthermore, more monocotyledons were identified using BLAST
analysis than dicotyledons, whereas the phylogenetic analysis was more successful
in the identification of dicotyledons than monocotyledons. With regard to the
consensus identities, 66 out of the 80 plants were identified. Specifically, 50 plants
were determined to only the genus level, while 16 samples were distinguished to the
genus and species levels.
The use of multiple markers - from both the nuclear and chloroplast regions - was
very crucial in the overall high identification success rate achieved in this study. The
data generated from this work can be used as a reference for future studies relating
to the characterization of plants in the Amboseli ecosystem and by extension, in
Kenya. Furthermore, because the selected plants are those that are eaten explicitly
by the Amboseli baboons, the data will be used to conduct a diet metabarcoding
study
English-Based Names In The Shona Culture Of Zimbabwe
No full textThe corpus of “Zimbabwean” names has a characteristic philological misnomer – the English-based name. Shona anthroponymy is replete with ‘strange’ names, names whose core is English yet whose constitution is a flagrant disregard of English naming practice. The descriptor ‘English-based name’ does not even do justice to the significance of this characteristic in Shona culture anthroponymy. This study sought to investigate the English-based names given to children in the Shona culture of Zimbabwe. The study sought answers to address the following questions: a) what word-formation processes are employed in the giving of the English-based names?; b) what grammatical categories are involved in the composition of these English-based names?; c) what are the parents’ and name givers’ motivations for giving these names?; and d) what are the historical and cultural factors that influence the giving of the names under study? The names were gathered from six schools and St Mary’s Catholic Mission baptism register. A total of 120 name givers were interviewed. The results show that the names gathered are a product of several word-formation processes: compounding, used at the rate of 46.4 %; suffixation, at a rate of 25%; derivation, at a rate of 19.6%; and backformation, at a rate of 9%. The study also established that 37 (i.e. 40.2%) of the 92 names gathered fall under the noun category; the grammatical category of adjectives had the second highest number at the rate of 17.4%; 17.4% of the names belonged to the verb category, 2.2% belonged to adverb class and lastly the preposition class had only 1 name (1.1%). Names formed of more than one grammatical category were assigned to a “special category”; they represent 29.3% of the total. The name givers’ motivations for giving those “strange”, English-based anthroponyms were found to be related to religion, family problems, gender issues, names given for the love of them, direct message to the name bearer, name inheritance and the position of the child in the family. The study recommends a widening of the ambit of the research of English-based names to the geographical areas of Zimbabwe not covered by the present study, for instance, to the Ndebele culture, whose people constitute the second largest ethnic community in Zimbabwe
The Influence of Social Media on the Maintenance of Romantic Relationships Among College Students: a Case of Undergraduate Students in the United States International University- Africa
No full textThis study sought to investigate the influence of social media on the maintenance of romantic relationships among college students with a focus on undergraduate students of USIU Africa. The students selected were in their fourth year of study as they were about to complete their studies and enter the workforce and must have formed romantic relationships offline or online in their time of study in the university, consequently having experiences maintaining these relationships online due to proximity or other reasons. The objectives of the study were to; evaluate the influence of time spent on social media on the maintenance of romantic relationships of college students; assess the influence of the behaviour of gauging a partners‟ commitment on social media on the maintenance of romantic relationships of college students; investigate the influence of use of face to face apps for interaction on social media on the maintenance of romantic relationships of college students; investigate the influence of how gender differences in the use of on social media has on the maintenance of romantic relationships of college students. The study used the Anthony Giddens theory of Modernity and Self-Identity and Social Conflict Theories to explain the influence of social media on romantic relationships. The researcher used the descriptive research design with both quantitative and qualitative data collection from the respondents and key informants. A questionnaire was used for quantitative data while an in-depth interview guide was used for qualitative data. The study population target was fourth year undergraduate students in a romantic relationship between the ages of 18-25 who are also among the highest consumers of social media. A sample size of 100 respondents was proportionately selected to represent both genders. From the findings the researcher can state that maintenance of romantic relationships on social media is a common phenomenon due to the introduction of technology and its influence on the way we live now is stunning to behold. With online dating and maintenance of relationships online being a new phenomenon, it means we have not yet had a chance to reflect on how it is changing our developing country for both good and bad. The study established that when relationships are maintained online, the frailty of human bonds increases with the ease of which online relationships can be formed and terminated. From the study it was realized that a lot of partners use social media to monitor and surveil their partner‟s behavior without their consent or knowledge. This has led to comparison of their relationships with others and the increase of conflict in relationships due to the pressure to conform to the societies‟ online standards. Some partners who have dissolved their relationship online felt that it may be easier because there is no physical interaction leading to lack of responsibility when it comes to handling their partner‟s feelings. From the study it was realized that the use of social networking sites and face to face applications as a substitute for personal interaction in romantic relationships has resulted in deteriorating relationship quality and decreases intimacy among those maintaining their romantic relationships online. This study recommends that for those students using social media to maintain their romantic relationships, it is important to keep private information about their relationship away from the public. This will help save the partners from possible trauma should the relationship end. The study also recommends that individual should have personal boundaries and be discrete on what they post on social media because it exposes their relationship and can be a source of backlash, hate and even insecurity to them from those who come across their profiles and have malicious intentions.This study further recommends that future research could include an in-depth investigation focusing on the effects of social media use and misuse in marriage and adult relationships
Strategic Marketing Plan Implementation Challenges By New Kenya Co-Operative Creameries Limited
No full textStrategic marketing plan is the pattern or plan that integrates an organisation major goals, policies and action sequences into a cohesive whole. To cope with strategic surprises and fast developing threats and opportunities a firms strategic decision need to be made outside the planning cycle Strategizing, as a shared change tool has also not only become unavoidable but an integrative process for effective and survival. . It is therefore important to note that using strategies in marketing allows planned and certainty in the optimal resource allocation and coordination of activities. In order to effect the changes, the company ought to involve strategic marketing plan so as to validate the dependency of and with the markets. Indeed the strategic marketing perspective has played its part, but still many companies have not managed to adequately regain the market share or effectively reduce the service and competitive gaps posed in the market, especially by competitors. The general objective of, this study was to investigate strategic marketing plans implementation challenges at New kcc. An interview guide was used to guide the researcher in collecting data. Content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative primary data which was collected by conducting interviews and secondary information from the organisation. . The study established that a number of main challenges experienced in the implementation of the strategic marketing plan which included rapid changes in market which were not expected, concerns and expectations on health, legislative and consumers changes and expectation on packaging, volatile local competition and threat of imported milk products, and the limitation associated with strategic marketing resources. . The study recommended that the company should prioritise the mitigation of internal based challenges to strategize marketing plans as well as those external ones that are highly influenced by internal environment